Arlington, VA vs Sunnyvale, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Arlington
72.2
#917 nationally
Sunnyvale
66.4
#1551 nationally
Arlington leads in cost of living index (151 vs 205). Arlington leads in walk score (69 vs 54). Sunnyvale leads in median household income ($168,924 vs $137,387).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Arlington, VA | Sunnyvale, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.2 (#917) | 66.4 (#1551) |
| Population | 238,643 | 155,805 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $815,538 | $2,050,814 |
| Median Household Income | $137,387 | $168,924 |
| Average Commute | 28.2 min | 25.6 min |
| Walk Score | 69 | 54 |
| Crime Level | Low | Low |
| School Rating | 8.8 | 8.6 |
| Cost of Living Index | 151 | 205 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+58.6 | D+40.0 |
C-
72.2 Score
Arlington, VA
Urban walkability meets federal opportunity
Median Home
$815,538
Population
238,643
Crime
Low
Schools
A
Southeast
View Arlington, VA →
D
66.4 Score
Sunnyvale, CA
Heart of tech innovation
Median Home
$2,050,814
Population
155,805
Crime
Low
Schools
A
Pacific
View Sunnyvale, CA →
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